The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-18

Mason. whose attention was called, early Wednes-
day evening, to the fire on the track. Other
jurors are slow to censure section foreman
Cougnin until they know precisely all about
the orders he received from Road master Ennis
Inc jury this morning evenly divided on
the nature of this verdict Three of the jurors
POSTMASTER Sears and farmers Shaw and
Brigham-wanted to practically exonerate the
management of the road by declaring the acct
cent due to the carelessness and disobedlence or
Coughlin The other three iurors-hardware-
man Turner, grocer Cool and grain dealer Os-
porn, were inclined to deal ienientiy
with Coughlin and censure the man
running such monster double header train
Coroner Long is said to be under many oblga-
fions to the company for passes, ETC.. and spends
much OF his time at the hotel and elsewhere with
the companys attorney. Mr.. Long favors yer
dict throwing the blame Coughln. The lat
ter is poor. awkward looking fellow-long
oony, and s.ammers frightfully.
The inquest resumed at 1:30 this after
noon. The first witness was S. M. Mason, sta
ton agent and operator at Piper City. He said
that on Wednesday morning he received mes
sage addressed to all section foremen, instruct
ing them to go ever their entire sections and see
that all bridges and track were in good condi
at night before they went home. The
order was signed by General Superintendent
Armstrong Mason said he went over his yard
that night pulled each switchlock and set all
brakes side-tracked cars. and was satisfied
that all was in good shape. He closed the de-
pot at 6 o'clock, and returned at $50. He then
aSke0, over the wire, Eor lnIOrmaLlOn o. Tue eA-
cursion train. and learned that it was at Grid
ley. Then he went out and looked west but
saw no light. He saw fire down the track
: Wednesday evening. and denied point-blank the
statements of Messrs. Madden, Jones and Clark.
that they called his attention to a light in the
west.
II. Reed, section foreman. testified that he
had received order to inspect the bridges.
track. etc, and had made complete inspection
and found everything in good condition.
The last witness examined was Christopher
Ennis, general roadmas ter between Gilman and
Peoria. He had instructed his men to examine
their entire sections the night of the disaster
He said he had walked the entire distance be-
tween Forrest and Piper City every day this
summer, inspecting the bridges each trip. He
was sure there were no weeds or grass under or
the bridge which could have set it on fire.
At the conclusion of the testimony the jury
retired to consider their verdict. After some
discussion of the main points of the evidence
adjournment taken until o'clock At this
time the jury reassembled. They sent for Cor
oner Long and informed him that they had de-
cded postpone the giving of their verdict un-
til o-morrow morning. The inquest was there
fore adjourned until that time.
PEORIA, H., Aug. 16-The Railroad and
Warehouse Commissioners continued their in
vestigaton into the great Chatsworth disaster
this evening Just before adjournment the
commissioners were requested to hold one more
day g session to allow the introduction of
evidence. The request was made in accordance
with resolutions adopted at public meeting to-
the employees of the road and the company's
wards clearing the wreck, caring for the wounded,